Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73080
Same here, though not 30 times! Never got flashed at in France but did it Tunisia, prob cause they saw a convoy of Xenons heading towards them. We usually replied with hibeam + xenons + assorted lightforce/aux driving lights. 8) We knew it wasn't the beam direction as when the convoy got strung out the non xenon car didn't get flashed.
20th Mar 2010 11:41 am
cooperman17
Member Since: 13 Oct 2009
Location: Leedsdale-on-Tees
Posts: 102
philhunt wrote:
In the 3 years I've had my D3 SE I've travelled to and from France about 30 times or more. I've never adjusted the lights and have never been flashed by oncoming drivers. If you do a search on here, you'll find that the consensus is there's no need to adjust.
How many times have you been stopped by the Feds?
You don't need to take a fluorescent vest or your insurance docs to get to where you are going
I have been to Spain many times and never adjusted my lights with no flashes to report. I only had to flip the switch when I imported the car and had to take it for it's ITV (MOT).
Enjoy your trip
SimonMonday is a hard way to spend one-seventh of your life
20th Mar 2010 1:06 pm
philhunt
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: MI5 not 9 to 5
Posts: 1761
If being flashed was a regular thing I'd adjust the beam every trip but it doesn't happen.
French Transport Police have a thing about UK cars and safety vests and have an occasional blitz on checks but usually these occur in service areas. It's sensible to carry vests anyway. Overloading is also one of their pet hates.Clubs Mantec, Tasmods, LEDS, AT2s on 18s, Maxxis Bighorns on 17s, Remote FBH, BAS. ReMap, BSS., RLD Personalised SWP., Safari Snorkel, Faultmate, Three Musketeers & MUD
20th Mar 2010 1:39 pm
cooperman17
Member Since: 13 Oct 2009
Location: Leedsdale-on-Tees
Posts: 102
philhunt wrote:
If being flashed was a regular thing I'd adjust the beam every trip but it doesn't happen.
Is this a question of courtesy or legality
20th Mar 2010 7:13 pm
philhunt
Member Since: 16 Sep 2007
Location: MI5 not 9 to 5
Posts: 1761
The intent of the Law is to prevent oncoming traffic from being dazzled. Clearly, from the experience of very many on here, oncoming traffic is not been affected.
Legally you should carry a spare set of bulbs when driving in France. Will you be carrying a spare set of Xenons to comply with the Law when ISTR the handbook states that these should only be replaced by a Main dealer for safety reasons?Clubs Mantec, Tasmods, LEDS, AT2s on 18s, Maxxis Bighorns on 17s, Remote FBH, BAS. ReMap, BSS., RLD Personalised SWP., Safari Snorkel, Faultmate, Three Musketeers & MUD
20th Mar 2010 7:28 pm
cooperman17
Member Since: 13 Oct 2009
Location: Leedsdale-on-Tees
Posts: 102
Your point about spare bulbs is a good one, especially with the advancement in lighting technology.
21st Mar 2010 6:59 am
MeanDorris
Member Since: 12 Apr 2010
Location: Herts
Posts: 132
Could someone please confirm is this switch/requirement is only applicable to Xenon lamps and not Halogen?
Thanks
12th Apr 2010 1:29 pm
crwoody
Member Since: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 2109
The internal "switch lever" only applies to Xenons, it alters the beam pattern to cut off the bit that lights the nearside kerb/path, there is no mechanical function on the Halogen lights to do this, hence the external stick-on wedge shaped "beam deflectors".
If you're asking if it's a legal requirement in Continental Europe, then I would guess it probably is - but many don't bother and they don't seem to get pulled up for it.Clive
12th Apr 2010 2:20 pm
MeanDorris
Member Since: 12 Apr 2010
Location: Herts
Posts: 132
Hmm, that's a bit annoying as the manual doesn't make any distingsion between Halogen or Xenon lights and I spent a good while messing with everything to no avail.
I was a bit nervy removing the front grill on my 3 week old car as the top comes out OK but you have to have a good tug to release the bottom the clips, I also had a right nightmare lifting the the headlamp clips as they were really stiff.
Do you definately need the stick on deflectors then for the Halogen lamps in the D4's, there is no mention of this at all in the manual. My wife was told that her 3 year old Citroen C4 Grand Picasso didn't need them as the it wasn't necessary for the newer designed lamps in that model?
12th Apr 2010 2:27 pm
crwoody
Member Since: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 2109
I have to say at this point that I have only a D3 for reference, but I'm pretty sure they're the same in this department.
The thing to consider is - the Halogen beam pattern is formed by the shape of the reflector behind the bulb, the bulb position is fixed within the reflector and there is nothing in front of it (except the outer cover.) so, unless the reflector is made in such a way that the beam is symmetrical and therefore suitable for left or right hand drive, then you would need the external deflector to make it conform.
Maybe the "Newer lamps" are made symmetrical, should be easy enough to check, just drive up to and stop about 20 feet away from a wall in the dark and look see how the beam lines up, see if you have the enlarged higher bit on the left side of each dipped beam.Clive
12th Apr 2010 3:43 pm
MeanDorris
Member Since: 12 Apr 2010
Location: Herts
Posts: 132
Thanks for the suggestion, I haven't given it a try yet but I will.
I have however been speaking to Land Rover customer services who checked with Dealer Tech Support and have advised that you do not need to do anything with the Halogen D4's, delfection stickers or anything else.
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